Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Reading Queens (4)
Selection PostWeek 8: Read a book that has 2,000 or more ratings.
Book: Fish & Chips by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban
Qualification: Has 10,927 ratings
Selection Post Week #8Option 1: Read a book that has 2,000 or more ratings.
Strong Side by Alison Hendricks, 264 pgs.How it qualifies: Currently 2729 ratings
I've updated tracking with the completion/selections since last week. We are missing completions for Week 7 from Nikk and Grace.I'm still trying to decide what I'm reading this week. None of my end of the month filler books worked for the theme, but all of my May books do! So I won't be starting my book until Tuesday and I'm not sure what mood I'll be in then. I'll go with one of the shorter ones though, so I will finish before the next theme.
Sorry guys. Finished my book from week 7 just have been out all weekend so have not yet posted Completion Post. Still deciding on this week’s book
I have 80 pages left in my book, so I should be finishing tonight. The book I wanted to read, is short about 70 ratings, so it's back to the drawing board for this week's book.
I'd suggest checking other editions Grace, but 30 pages is probably too much to overcome. You never know though.
Week 7
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
Qualification: Sword on Cover (Shiny Object)
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This is another great installment in the series. I loved every minute of it and it was a great turning point in the series. We finally get to meet Roland, and I love how in just a few scenes she is able to establish his character. I've really enjoyed rereading this series and I can't wait for the summer and be able to read a book with Hugh and the 10th Kate Daniels book!
Completion Post:Week # 8 - Option: 1
Book: Hollywood Dirt
Date Read: 30th April
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I put off reading this one for ages because the ex-wife/ famous manho aspect isn't something I enjoy to read about these days, but I was hankering for a bit of drama so picked this up. Needless to say, I'm very glad I did because while it did lack the drama I expected I still loved every single page of this. The setting, their banter, all of it worked and had me hooked after the first 5 pages.
Completion PostWeek 8: a Book with More than 2000 Ratings
Fish & Chips by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban 280 pgs/GR
Read: 4/28/18
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I'm having so much fun revisiting this series and this was another excellent adventure with Ty and Zane. The mystery/suspense plot was pretty over the top but exciting and lead to some funny moments and more serious situations for the guys both as partners and as a couple. I loved that it gave them a chance to be a couple in public. Though I didn't particularly like the side of Zane being Corbin brought out, Ty getting in touch with his submissive side was a lot of fun. 😉 Watching their relationship slowly build and get stronger is even better knowing how it all ends. Now I'm onto the next one!
Week 8: Read a book that has 2,000 or more ratings.Selection Post
Taming Teddy by Lucy Lennox, 238 p. per GRThis book has 2750 ratings.
I was able to start my book last night, but just got the selection post up!After updating the tracking, things are looking good so far. We need to start thinking about being ready to read fast for the last theme call, but that means we need to be completely up to date before Jane announces it!
Nikk, we still need your completion post for Week 7 and your selection for Week 8. The pass is available if you want to use it this week, just need a decision before the theme call Friday. =)
MountainKat wrote: "I was able to start my book last night, but just got the selection post up!After updating the tracking, things are looking good so far. We need to start thinking about being ready to read fast fo..."
Looking forward to your review of Taming Teddy, MountainKat. I liked it but not as much as I enjoyed Borrowing Blue. I'm hoping Jumping Jude will fit into one of my challenges soon. I'm very curious about him and his body guard. :-)
Selection Post - Option #1Week #8: Read a book that 2000 or more ratings
Bookcover/link:
Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey
Page numbers: 399
How the book qualifies: 7181 ratings
Apologies guys I have been ridiculously time poor lately but I will post my completion when I get home to my computer tonight
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Looking forward to your review of Taming Teddy, MountainKat. I liked it but not as much as I enjoyed Borrowing Blue. I'm hoping Jumping Jude will fit into one of my challenges soon. I'm very curious about him and his body guard. :-)"I'm a little over halfway and I agree so far. I think it is lacking the heart and humor that Borrowing Blue had. I'm still enjoying it, but not quite as much, hoping the end makes up for some of it.
And definitely looking forward to Jude's story - I liked him a lot in the first book!
I didn't enjoy book 2 as much either, but Jumping Jude and Grounding Griffin came back up in my ratings. Waiting to read Moving Maverick, sometime soon :)
Completion Post Week #7
Night's HonorDate read: 4/24/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Review:
This was another book I read in just a couple of sittings and really enjoyed. Looking back, there wasn't all that much to the story nor were the characters all that complex but I still found myself devouring the pages as I read determined. We had met neither of the characters before so that made it a little different from the series so far where other than book one, we had met at least one, if not both main characters prior to going in. In many ways as well it felt like a lead in the Julian and Melisande's book, which is up next , as previously we had only really seen Julian in a harsh light (during Carling's book) and it felt like maybe this book was trying to paint a more human/less evil light to him before he becomes the main character. All in all though really enjoyed this instalment of the series and looking forward to moving on to book 8
Completion Post Week #8
Strong SideRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3,5)
Review:
I always love to read football romances and this book has not just mentioned the sport, but has actually shown a perfect deal of trainings and game time. :)
Derek and Jason are great together! I enjoyed reading how they get to know each other, become friends and finally fall in love. Derek, who already worked through the physical aftermath of a terrible injury during highschool football, now also has to overcome the resultant mental barrier. Jason's life centers exclusively on football and while he's helping Derek with his issues and they're getting slowly closer, he's learning more and more about himself, discovering that he's bi.
There are some time issues in the plot and I would have liked more depth here and there, but for a debut it's a great book and I think I'll read the sequels.
Week 8
Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels
Rating: 2 Stars
Review: This was a really hard book to rate. The beginning was nothing like what I expected and I was intrigued. But as I was reading, I was not liking the heroine. At first I kept telling myself it was the tragedy she just suffered, but as I kept reading I realized she was just plain selfish and lacking empathy for other people. She was a 35 year old woman with the maturity of a teenager and everything always kept coming back to her and how she feels. I hated how she treated her family for so many years and how she could not take any responsibility in her life. Everything was everyone else's fault and never hers. I liked the author's writing style though, so I will check out the second book in the series ( I liked both of the characters, so hopefully that book will be better for me).
I finished my book in the wee hours of the morning - insomnia sucks! But at least I finished a book. That insomnia has made me too tired to write up my review though - tomorrow I guess.Wondering what the new theme will be tomorrow?!
Week 8: Read a book that has 2,000 or more ratings.Completion Post
Taming Teddy by Lucy Lennox, 238 p. per GRThis book has 2750 ratings.
Completed 5.3.18 *4- Stars*
I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as the first book. It was missing both the heart and humor that I loved in Borrowing Blue. I liked the characters, but I wasn't really invested in them. I did really like the Alaskan setting and the animal interactions. Still a good read and I am looking forward to more in this series.
I listened to the audio and thought that Micheal Pauley does a good job with the narration.
New theme! Find Jane's post with links HERE.Week 9
Option 1
16. Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.
Hollywood Romance Novels
Romance With Actors/Actresses/Acting
Actor and Actresses in Category Romance
Romance with Extra Drama!
Best Gay Romance Involving Performing Arts
MM bookshelf 'Profession - Actors'
If you use Option 1 your book MUST be chosen from one of the above lists.
Option 2
Key date: 3 November 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week 9Option 2
Burn Bright (Alpha & Omega #5) by Patricia Briggs
308 pages
Qualification: Nikk read Dead Heat (Alpha & Omega #4) on 3-29-2018, 5 stars
Selection PostWeek 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.
Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton 207 pgs/GR
Qualification: #163 on the Best Gay Romance Involving Performing Arts list.
Week 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.Selection Post
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GROption 2: #1 in series, #7 in series on Grace's read shelf, read 4.29.18, rated 5 stars.
Selection Post Week #9Option 1: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.
Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton 207 pgs.How it qualifies: #163 on Best Gay Romance Involving Performing Art
Ha, this time it was good that RL kept me from reading! ;)I'd already started Robby Riverton before our new theme was announced, but I didn't get far and can just start again without a problem. :)
Awesome! Glad that worked out for you Caipi! Looking forward to what you and Liz think of it, I like Eli Easton, but hadn't heard of that one until checking out the lists for this week.
Selection Post - Option #1Week #9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.
Bookcover/link:
Fallen Too Far by Abbi GlinesPage numbers: 300
How the book qualifies: #15 on Holly Romance Novels list
Completion Post Week #9
Robby Riverton: Mail Order BrideRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Running for his life after witnessing a murder, Robby Riverton eventually finds himself in the disguise of a mail order bride. He temporarily hides out at the Crabtree ranch, the family ranch of his (her) "intended". His only confident there is Sheriff Trace Crabtree......
I enjoyed this funny story, a perfect, light read for in between. Robby was awesome, manipulating everybody to his will in such a sweet manner. And the Crabtree family was definitely an unique one!
Completion Post Week #8
Dark CurrentsDate read: 5/7/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Review:
This book was recommended to me late last year in a christmas Kris Kringle type event and I have been hesitating getting round to reading it as I wasn't sure I would like it. I ended up liking it more than I expected. It took me a little bit to get into it, probablythe first third of the book, but the last two thirds flowed really well and I found myself unable to put it down. I liked that in many ways it was a little bit different from other urban fantasies I have read and the world building intrigued me though not all of it was explained incredibly well and occasionally i found myself a little confused. That being said it was a fun read and introduction to a new series that I just may look out for book 2
Week 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.Completion Post
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GROption 2: #1 in series, #7 in series on Grace's read shelf, read 4.29.18, rated 5 stars.
Completed 5.9.18 *4- Stars*
I'm not really sure how to review this. I've heard from many trustworthy people that this is a great series and really gets going a few books in. But this was not the best beginning for me. I felt like I was dropped into this complex world with no introduction. It seemed like the world building was lacking in a big way in this book. I expect not to love the first book in a series, because there is so much explaining, but it is necessary - I didn't get that here. I felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants and kept wondering if I missed something. So add in what felt like a large plot hole (view spoiler) and I wasn't left with the best impression. But the world is intriguing and I like the characters and am curious what happens next. I will trust my GR friends and continue the series.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed Renee Raudman's narration.
I just got the tracking updated and we are complete through Week 8, but missing several completions for Week 9.If we are playing to win, we need to make sure we are all current and ready to read as fast as we can when the last theme is called! So hopefully we can all get next week's book read quickly to be set up for the last theme call. =)
MountainKat wrote: "Week 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.Completion Post
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GROption 2: #1 in series, #7 ..."
The first book definitely isn't the best (even the authors agree 😀) but it really does get better!
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Week 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.Completion Post
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, 260 p. per GROption ..."
I had a similar reaction when I first read it. It wasn’t terrible but couldn’t see why everyone was raving about the series. I don’t thing I really started loving this series till book 3 maybe
Btw finished my week 9 book and will post completion tonight
Changed my selection. Posting new one below
Week # 9 - Option: 1Book: From Rags by Suzanne Wright
Page count: 292
How the book qualifies: #28 on the Hollywood Romance Novels list
Week 9Option 2
Thirty Day Boyfriend by Whitney G
150 pages per Goodreads
Qualification: Ready by Tink Magoo on 3/20/2018, 4 stars
I'm changing my book to a shorter story so I can finish by tomorrow.
Completion PostWeek 9: Read a book with an actor or entertainer in the storyline.
Book: Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride by Eli Easton 207 pgs/GR
Read: 5/8/18
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
I adored this book. I reminded me of when I first started reading historical romances back in the day. I loved the books where the girl dresses up as a boy and the guy is confusingly attracted to her. I loved this gender swapped version. My only quibble was how quickly Trace figured out Robby/Rowena's secret - it seemed like a it would have been a good opportunity for some humor, confusion and UST between Trace and Robby/Rowena, but it did allow the mystery plot to move forward and their romance to bloom so I wasn't too disappointed. I loved Rowena's interactions with the Crabtree family, especially Pa-Pa. What an exciting adventure, sexy romance and just a really funny read!
Week 9Thirty Day Boyfriend
Rating: 2 stars
Review: This book just wasn't for me. I never really connected with either of the characters. Emily was verging too close to the TSTL category, (plus it really annoyed me when ever she said I will be the bigger person, it made her just as childish as Nicholas). He didn't really seem much as much as a horrible boss as a childish, and as I said they both were a good fit together on that aspect.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "The first book definitely isn't the best (even the authors agree 😀) but it really does get better!"Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon wrote: "I had a similar reaction when I first read it. It wasn’t terrible but couldn’t see why everyone was raving about the series. I don’t thing I really started loving this series till book 3 maybe"
See, that is what I have heard before, even including book 3 being where it turns around! I will stick with it, but I'm kind of amazed the series became so popular with such a weak start.
Completion Post Week #9
Fallen Too FarDate read: 5/8/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
Review:
I wasn't overly impressed with this first book of the Rosemary Beach series but that could also be because the new Adult genre can be very hit and miss for me. I found the characters a little irritating and the love story not as convincing as i would have liked. That being said, I pretty much read this book in a couple of sittings and have since read books 2 and 3 LOL. It was very soap opera like and quite addictive as a result. The story line didn't seem to have much substance but i mostly liked Blaire, the heroine other than the fact she fell for Rush LOL. I didn't pick the end so I was left going What the?? at the end. I think i mostly liked it, enough at least to read the next 2 books but I am pretty sure it won't be one of my favourite reads of the year
Completion PostWeek: 9
Book: From Rags
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Suzanne Wright is one of my go-to authors for strong sassy heroines and possessive alpha men. This book is a prime example of both and the sexual tension was palpable very early on between the pair and throughout. Though the 'she's so perfect, everyone likes her and doesn't even know it' annoyed me (especially at the start), the banter and them winding each other up made up for any downfalls there and I loved the epilogue.
Woohoo, we are done with Week 9! All completions in before the new theme call - in just a few minutes...I think I know what I'm reading no matter the theme, I have a book for Option 2 that is on my M&G and it is too long for next week, even if I could use it. No sense in saving it anymore.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Week 8
Option 1
15. Read a book that has 2,000 or more ratings.
Option 2
Key date: 27 Ocotber 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads when you post your selection and completion posts.